Abigail DeSilva, MSW, has been working in the field of interpersonal violence prevention for almost ten years. She’s conducted academic research and program evaluation in areas including campus sexual violence, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, and child sexual abuse.
Through this professional journey, Abigail discovered her true passion lies in child abuse prevention. She had the opportunity to work under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau at MOORE, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health), where she dedicated almost four years of research in sexual abuse and perpetration prevention. Abigail received both her bachelor’s and master’s in social work at Rutgers University, completing the certificate program of interpersonal violence and trauma.
In both her personal and professional lives, Abigail believes that child abuse is preventable and that we all have a critical role to play in keeping kids safe as well as providing help to those at risk of causing harm. She’s beyond excited about joining the PCAD team and looking forward to furthering sustainable relationships in Sussex County.
Outside of work, Abigail loves to spend time with her family (especially her nieces and nephew), visit the cinema for a good movie, spend all day at the beach, curl up with her pets and a good book, and is wildly passionate about music and visiting record shops.